New UK driveway rule has come into force and | Tech News

Those put off making the change to an electric vehicle (EV) as a consequence of not having a driveway are being focused in a vital rule change that got here into impact on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. The landmark shake-up sees a grant elevated from £350 to £500.

Renters and flat homeowners are eligible to use, as are companies, colleges and different organisations. The Government said it could sometimes cowl half the associated fee of having an EV charger fitted at home.

For these with out a driveway, the grant will contribute in direction of the associated fee of an different resolution, resembling cross-pavement chargers. Renters, flat homeowners, landlords, householders with out driveways and companies are all capable of benefit.

Keir Mather, the minister for decarbonisation, instructed BBC Radio 4’s You and Yours programme on the finish of February, when the modifications have been first introduced: “We think it will make a big difference. We are working as hard as possible so that as many people as possible can make the switch to an electric vehicle, but we can only do that if we make it cost-effective to charge from home.

“So by uplifting this grant from £350 to 500, that is going to cowl virtually half the associated fee of the standard set up of a charge level, about 42% of the associated fee. But the important level is putting in these charge factors unlocks these huge value financial savings you can get by home charging of round 2p a mile.

“So that’s the equivalent of driving from London to Birmingham for about £3.50. We want as many people as possible to be able to access that, and that’s why we’re extending the grant today.”

Tina McKenzie, coverage chair on the Federation of Small Businesses, mentioned: “Many small businesses want to switch to electric vehicles, with half of small businesses (51%) saying that more charging infrastructure would incentivise them to make the switch.

“Small companies need to cut their emissions and scale back their fuel payments and eradicating or reducing the limitations which presently tip the scales in opposition to electric vehicle adoption can solely be a good factor – for small companies, for the financial system and for the planet.”

Ben Beadle, chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, added: “Almost 9 in 10 landlords with a appropriate property would set up EV charge factors if a tenant asks them to undertake this work.

“Given the extent of landlords’ willingness to provide them, we welcome the government’s plans to encourage more widespread installation of these points across the sector. We urge landlords to make best use of the grants now available where it is feasible for them to do so.”

Further particulars on how to use could be discovered at gov.uk.